In 2009, Lucy Hewett picked up her first camera—a Nikon D40—and started staging evening and weekend shoots with friends in Chicago’s arts community. Her portraits of writers, musicians, and designers caught the eye of big-name clients and publications such as Rolling Stone magazine and Vanguard Records, allowing her to leave her day job and pursue photography full time. Inspired by storytelling photographers such as Brian Finke, she now snaps fashion photographs for Refinery29, band portraits for pop 'stache, and food shots for Dinner Was Delicious. Lucy is currently booking wedding shoots for the summer and working on a long-term portrait series about women’s body image.

Lucy Hewett’s Top Five

Favorite new album or artist she’s listening to on repeat: Pop music such as Alex Winston’s King Con and Tegan and Sara’s Heartthrob to get her through the tedious task of doing her taxes

Book currently on her nightstand: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides and On Film-making by Alexander Mackendrick

Favorite new or newly discovered restaurant: Yusho in Logan Square for its small plates and service

Top local bartender, where to find her, and favorite thing she makes: Chief mixologist Lynn House at Blackbird for her Blackbird Orange cocktail. In the spring and summer, she uses fresh ingredients from her garden to craft cocktails.

Favorite coffee shop to perch with a laptop: On “email days” she hits up Gaslight Coffee Roasters for the morning snacks and Cafe Mustache for the good tunes